Let’s Build a Tilt Sensing Servo Motor Controller

You can control a servo motor’s rotation direction through orientation detection using a tilt control switch. In this project, you will build a Tilt Sensing Servo Motor Controller. Refer to the Parts List for all the electronic components required for this project. Here are the steps used to build the electronic device:

1. Place the required parts on your workbench or lab tabletop.
2. Assemble the servo motor with the appropriate mechanical assembly attachment, as shown in Figure 3-2 (left).
3. Strip insulation from three ¼-inch solid wires and insert them into the servo motor’s mini connector, as shown in Figure 3-2 (right).

Figure 3-2. Servo motor with mechanical assembly attachment and modified servo motor wire connector (left); close-up of modified servo motor wire connector (right)

4. Place and secure the servo motor on the full-size clear breadboard with hookup wire, as shown in Figure 3-3.
5. Insert the modified servo motor wire connector into the full-size clear breadboard, as shown in Figure 3-4.
6. Wire the electronic parts using the Fritzing diagram of Figure 3-5, or the actual project shown in Figure 3-1.

Figure 3-3. Placing and securing the servo motor on the full-size clear breadboard

Figure 3-4. Modified servo motor wire connector inserted into the full-size clear breadboard

Figure 3-5. Tilt Sensing Servo Motor Controller Fritzing diagram